Rodney Atkins - If You're Going Through Hell

East Tennessee singer-songwriter Rodney Atkins scored a chart-topper with the title track of this second release, reframing the Irish drinking toast ("May you be in heaven five minutes before the devil knows you're dead") in a modern context and tying it all up in a Celtic/banjo wrapping fit for Keith Urban. It's a solid effort, and performed with unusual aplomb for a newcomer. But as the rest of the album shows, Atkins seems torn between being a thoughtful, poetic craftsman ("Angel's Hands," "Invisibly Shaken," "A Man on a Tractor") and a hero for redneck simpletons. On the opening "These Are My People," he works the family-values-and-small-town stereotypes to death, continuing with "About the South," a Charlie-Daniels-as-God number on which he's backed by an irritating group of chorines that sound suspiciously like the Hee Haw Hunnies. Which path will Atkins ultimately choose, NPR or Wal-Mart? His second single, "Watching You"--a doing-everything-like-Daddy paean--probably tells the tale. --Alanna Nash Amazon.com

Better than Expected

Not being a big Country fan, I was expecting to LOVE the title track and yawn through the rest....I couldn't have been more wrong! The Artists' humility, down-home values and refusal to apologize for those is very refreshing! Rarely is there an album that I don't skip over a few of the filler tracks-- This project simply does NOT have one of those. I will definitely be watching, listening for his future music! August 31, 2008

Awesome

I have heard a couple of his songs on the local country station and never really paid attention to who was singing the catchy songs. My boyfriend got us tickets to his concert and I became an instant fan. He has great stage presence and his songs are great. Needless to say I can add this cd to my collection. August 12, 2008

Love It!

With four hits on one disc and great music in- between, this is a super buy and wonderful on your ears! July 8, 2008

Awesome CD

This is an amazing cd! There are so many great songs on it! There are already FOUR number 1 hits included on this cd (Going Through Hell, Watching You, These Are My People & Cleaning This Gun) and a 5th hit currently out (Invisibly Shaken). Aside from these top rated songs, there is one of my favorites, About the South, and a song heard in Tractor Supply Plus stores, Man on a Tractor. Rodney has passion in his music and it can be enjoyed by a variety of ages. You will certainly get your money's worth with this one. But it today! June 23, 2008

Country Music Winner

Here's hoping this new voice is not just a flash in the pan artist. Love the range and his authenticity. April 21, 2008

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